NDLEA arrests Brazil-based businessman ‘for smuggling 29 wraps of cocaine’
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested Ezeokoli Sylva, a businessman based in Brazil, for allegedly smuggling 700 grams of cocaine.
A statement on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the discovery was made following his arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
Femi said the 59-year-old man, who had spent 35 years in Brazil, was arrested on November 29 at the E-Arrival Hall of the airport upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“When he was taken for body scan, the result confirmed that the suspect had foreign objects concealed in his stomach,” the statement reads.
”As a result, he was placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 700grams.
“The suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes and clothes. He added that he bought the illicit consignment in Sao Paulo to resell in Nigeria with a view to raising substantial capital to boost his business.”
On November 26, the NDLEA intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injection going to the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos.
Babafemi said while the 200 grams cocaine was concealed in local fabrics, 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams were hidden in cartons.
“In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 28th November arrested three suspects: Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27, with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 pills exol-5 at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road,” he said.
“No fewer than 2, 120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis produced in Ghana were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Ilesan beach, Lagos on Thursday 28th November.
“A suspect, Onibogi Muftau was arrested in connection with the seizure while four vehicles that were to convey the shipments from the water front were also recovered.
“This came on the heels of the seizure of 472kg of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko, Imeko area of Ogun state on Monday 25th November.”
